One of those "One-Line" .357 Magnums.....

[410bore]

I found this Registered Magnum on an online auction site and decided to send the seller a message and get some more (and better quality) pictures. After receiving said pics I found out it had been factory refinished in April of 1953 which was a bummer BUT it appeared that none of the parts were replaced, nor was the barrel cut. So, I informed the seller (who had no knowledge of the refinish or how to look for one) that the revolver had been refinished and that the value didn’t support his previous asking price. He took the news pretty well, and thanked me for letting him know as he would have hated to have sold it to someone and then found out about this later. Anyway, I made him an offer to which he thanked me and said he needed a day or two to think things over. Well, a few days later I get an email accepting my offer. I was excited to add another Reg Mag to my collection but was still unsure as to how well the refinish was from the seller’s pictures.

When I finally got to handle it, I was VERY happy with how well the refinish was; rollmarks are very crisp along with all edges and seams. Part of the sideplate logo is a little weak but it doesn’t really look buffed as it is sharp; maybe just a weak stamp?

I really like the Call Gold Bead front sight and the 6.5” barrel length, even if it is the most common length. Sadly, the original stocks are long gone so I had Ken Driskill make me up a set of Pre War Magna-style Stags and sent him some Original Pre War medallions to put in them; I really like the look.

All that said, I am happy to add .357 Magnum, SN 57007, REG # 4131 to the herd. It shipped from the factory in September of 1938 which is my birth month (a little off on the year); the letter request is in the mail and it would be cool if it shipped on my birthday (9/30).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[quinn]

Yeah, Kris, I'd be durn happy with that one, too. Congrats.

 

[Art Doc]

I'm curious what you thought was a fair offer.

 

[Modified]

Just lovely, you are going to really enjoy shooting that gun.

Here's what Walter Roper had to say about the gun:

For years Smith & Wesson guns have been noted for their straightforward mechanical design, fine workmanship, and beautiful finish, but the Magnum is still finer than even the guns considered finest. The finely checked top strap and barrel rib, the heat-treated alloy steel cylinder recessed to enclose each cartridge head, and the underbarrel sheath partially enclosing and completely protecting the extractor rod all combine to make the gun appealing to the eye. The manufacturer has done everything possible to produce the very finest gun. Of especial interest is the light double action of the Magnum. The long leverage possible in an arm of this size, plus the extreme smoothness of the working parts and the long main spring help in making a ten-pound double-action trigger pull possible.

The machine rest accuracy obtained with the Magnum is little short of marvelous, for while fine accuracy is usual with loads like the .38 Special and .22 Long Rifle, the Magnum produces similar accuracy with a bullet traveling 1515 feet per second at the muzzle, which is probably close to maximum possible with a gun capable of being shot with one hand. The results of this extremely fine accuracy are evident when shooting is done at 50 yards and over, the reports of many remarkably small groups shot at even 200 yards have appeared in various magazines during the past two years. It is evident therefore, that the Magnum is an extremely fine slow-fire and long-range revolver.

This absolutely mirrors my own experience.

I would highly recommend any owner of a pre war Magnum to try the gun out at 200yds. It's simply astonishing how easily my friends and I can hit our target at that range. It wasn't until recently that I actually tried it and I wish I had been doing it before.

Congratulations on a gorgeous gun. In my opinion that re-finish does not diminish the desirability of the gun at all, not like many other re-finishes would.

 

[Iggy]

Not too shabby for an old used gun.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Wonderful, beautiful, etc. Now tell me what phone or camera you use to take such stunning pictures!

==========

On another note, I'm pretty sure I can hit targets at 200 yards with any 4" Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum with two caveats.

1. I have to be able to see the target. So little tiny bullseyes won't work. Caveat 1B is I can hit anything but hitting and getting tight groups, I dunno....

2. I have to have some practice shots. After that I think I can do it consistently with either my Model 19 or my Model 27 Classic (which is, after all, the grandchild of the Registered Magnum, yes?).

Sidebar - I might like to try that with my early 1930s .38/44. I bet it's that good, too!

 

[gjamison]

Very nice Kris!

Are you going to willmington next weekend?

 

[Modified]

Well, last time I was out at the range I had brought my old beater and my friend there had of course read of the legendary accuracy of the thing. He loaded it up and shot.

I hear a *thunk*.

I ask him what he was aiming at. He tells me the small steel plate... The one at 200yds? Yeah.

First shot. After that he put 4 of the 6 on the plate, and the two he missed it was because he held over too far on the plate. We all proceeded to do the same thing with the gun until I was out of .357. I was super annoyed at myself for never thinking to do that before then.

 

[SAFireman]

Way to go Kris! Another birth day/month Reg Mag here on the forum.


I posted pics of mine in the other thread at your request

 

[Leatherhead23]

Nice catch Kris! I agree, that is a phenomenal refinish.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[DWFAN]

Very nice revolver. I have more than a few pair of stocks by Ken. He's out of Colorado so the horn is probably from there also. These two 520's carry his work.

 

[tlay]

Very nice REG MAG! Nice birthday too, mine also is 9/30!!

 

[DGT]

Great snag. Congratulations.

 

[Hondo44]

Wow, that's a screamer!

Of course it's a great refinish, it's a factory refinish. Most I've seen and the two I have look as good as new guns as does yours.

Nice catch! The elk antler looks good too and the period correct medallions are a great touch. With your luck, you can probably even locate period correct India Sambar Stags for it.

 

[Hiero6]

That is gorgeous

 

[bracebeemer]

Kris, I couldn't believe it when I saw your post this morning on your new RM. I knew instantly that your gun was the consecutive serial number and registration number to my RM!! It's a small world indeed!
Bill

 

[410bore]

Kris, I couldn't believe it when I saw your post this morning on your new RM. I knew instantly that your gun was the consecutive serial number and registration number to my RM!! It's a small world indeed!

Bill

Wow that is incredible!!!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Got to see it at the NE Ohio Bunch gathering last week ...... it is indeed a sweeeeeet R Mag.

Almost a twin to mine....... was thinking we will have to get them together in the fall for a photo shoot.......

 

[model3sw]

Many different opinions on refinished guns. Granted they do not warrant the price of a factory original but " I " would never turn down a desirable model, Factory refinished S&W, at the right price. I have a Factory Refinished Reg Mag, refinish dated 1953 with a barrel change from 6" to 7" documented. Barrel numbered to gun and in exact matching font, proper Reg Mag barrel. It's simply like brand new ... price was right and I'm a happy camper.

You made a smart buy, I think.

 

[model3sw]

Kris, I couldn't believe it when I saw your post this morning on your new RM. I knew instantly that your gun was the consecutive serial number and registration number to my RM!! It's a small world indeed!
Bill

Is the case a Huey ?